Apparatus for telescopically assembling a tubing segment on a length of tubing

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed which has utility for assembling a flexible tubular segment telescopically upon an end portion of a length of tubing when the tubing has an outer diameter which is substantially the same or greater than the inner diameter of the tubular segment. The apparatus has the capacity to controllably stretch the flexible tubular segment sufficiently to facilitate passage therethrough of an end portion of a length of the tubing. The end portion of the length of tubing is then positioned inside the stretched flexible tubular segment such that the stretched tubular segment is located a pre-selected distance from the free end of the end portion of the length of tubing. The tubular segment is then allowed to contract around the the end portion. The assembled tubular segment and end portion of the length of tubing are then ejected from the apparatus while maintaining the pre-selected distance of the tubular segment from the free end of the end portion of the length of tubing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for assembling one or more elasticforeshortened tubular segments telescopically upon and near an end of atube or length of tubing having an outer diameter at least as great asthe inner diameter of the tubular segment wherefore there is frictionaldrag upon attempting to assemble the pieces together, and then ejectingthe telescoped tubular segment-tubing combination from the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the manual assembly of tubing lengths or pieces together or to avessel of some sort, connection is usually made by use of a rigid orsomewhat rigid tubular connector element or connector portion in theform of a male element with a female element, the male element having aslightly smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the femaleelement, with retention assured by adhesive bonding.

However, accurate assembly of a very short tubular segment of flexibleelastic tubing, telescopically, upon a length of tubing having an outerdiameter substantially the same or greater than the inner diameter ofthe tubular segment, and at a predetermined distance away from an end ofthe length of tubing, is difficult to do manually, and it is believed nodevice or apparatus therefor existed prior to the development of theapparatus of the present invention. The assembly has been especiallydifficult, heretofore, if a very short flexible tubular segment was tobe assembled telescopically upon a length of tubing that is flexible aswell as having an outer diameter substantially the same or greater thanthe inner diameter of the tubular segment.

A chuck is commonly used to hold a work piece in a lathe or a drill bitin a drill motor. However it is not believed that any use has been madeheretofore of chuck-like jaws as spreaders or stretching elementsinstead of as compressive grasping elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided in accordance with one aspect of the invention anapparatus for assembling a flexible tubular segment telescopically uponan end portion of a length of tubing, the tubing having an outerdiameter substantially the same or greater than the inner diameter ofthe tubular segment, said apparatus comprising: (a) means forcontrollably stretching the flexible tubular segment sufficiently tofacilitate passage therethrough of an end portion of a length of saidtubing; (b) means for positioning the end portion of the length oftubing inside the stretched flexible tubular segment such that thestretched tubular segment is located a pre-selected distance from thefree end of the end portion of the length of tubing while the tubularsegment is allowed to contract around the said end portion; and (c)means for ejecting the assembled tubular segment and end portion of thelength of tubing from the apparatus while maintaining the preselecteddistance of the tubular segment from the free end of the end portion ofthe length of tubing.

There is provided in accordance with another aspect of the invention anassembly apparatus comprising means for both: (a) the telescopicassembly of a flexible foreshortened tubular segment with a length oftubing having an outer diameter substantially the same or greater thanthe inner diameter of the tubular segment, and (b) the ejection of theassembled tubular segment and length of tubing from the apparatusthereafter; the means for telescopic assembly comprising: a body portionhaving first and second surfaces and a cylindrical bore, having alongitudinal axis, extending through the body portion from the firstsurface to the second surface; a cover plate with a central aperturecovering the cylindrical bore at the first surface of the body portion;a controllably rotatable substantially cylindrical sleeve positionedwithin the cylindrical bore, the rotatable sleeve having a cylindricalpassageway therethrough that is substantially co-axial with thecylindrical bore; at least three spreader finger elements each having afinger portion extending outwardly substantially in parallel from thecentral aperture of the cover plate and forming a cluster, the clusterextending along about the axis of the cylindrical bore; and meansassociated with the spreader finger elements within the body portion forsimultaneously spreading apart radially and subsequently simultaneouslyretracting together the spreader finger portions with respect to theaxis of the cylindrical bore; and the means for ejection, from theassembly apparatus, of a flexible tubular segment assembled with alength of tubing comprising: a reciprocable piston positioned within thecylindrical passageway of the rotatable sleeve, the reciprocable pistonhaving a first end and a second end, the first end facing towards thecover plate and having assembled therewith an ejector block, the ejectorblock having pivotably attached thereto at least three ejector arms thatextend forwardly thereof towards the cover plate substantially parallelto the axis of the cylindrical bore and are movable out through theaperture of the cover plate radially outside of and alongside thespreader finger portions when the reciprocable piston is moved towardsthe cover plate, the ejector arms and ejector block being adapted tocontact respectively and eject simultaneously from the assemblyapparatus, upon reciprocation of the reciprocable piston towards thecover plate, a flexible tubular segment and length of tubing that havebeen telescopically assembled together.

There is provided in accordance with another aspect of the invention anassembly apparatus for: (a) the telescopic assembly of a flexibletubular segment with a length of tubing having an outer diametersubstantially the same or greater than the inner diameter of the tubularsegment, and (b) the ejection of the assembled tubular segment andlength of tubing from the apparatus thereafter, comprising: a bodyportion having first and second surfaces, and a cylindrical bore, havinga longitudinal axis, extending through the body portion from the firstsurface to the second surface, and a cover plate with a central aperturecovering the cylindrical bore at the first surface of the body portion;a controllably rotatable substantially cylindrical sleeve positionedwithin the cylindrical bore, the rotatable sleeve having a cylindricalpassageway therethrough that is substantially co-axial with thecylindrical bore; at least three spreader finger elements, each with afinger portion, the finger portions extending outwardly substantially inparallel from the central aperture of the cover plate as a cluster, thecluster extending along about the axis of the cylindrical bore andhaving means associated therewith within the body portion forsimultaneously spreading apart radially and subsequently retractingtogether the spreader finger portions with respect to the axis of thecylindrical bore; and means for ejection from the assembly apparatus ofa flexible tubing having a tubular end portion of a pinch valve elementemplaced thereon, comprising: a reciprocable piston positioned withinthe passageway of the rotatable sleeve, the reciprocable piston having afirst end and a second end, the first end facing towards the cover plateand having mounted thereon an ejector block, the ejector block havingpivotably attached thereto at least three ejector arms that extendforwardly thereof towards the cover plate substantially parallel to theaxis of the cylindrical bore and are movable out through the aperture ofthe cover plate radially outside of and alongside the spreader fingerportions when the reciprocable piston is moved towards the cover plate,the ejector block and ejector arms being adapted to contact respectivelyand eject simultaneously from the assembly apparatus the length oftubing and tubular segment that have been telescopically assembled.

There is provided in accordance with another aspect of the invention anassembly apparatus for: (a) the telescopic assembly of a flexibletubular segment with a length of tubing having an outer diametersubstantially the same or greater than the inner diameter of the tubularsegment, and (b) the ejection of the assembled tubular segment andlength of tubing from the apparatus thereafter, comprising: a bodyportion, the body portion having first and second surfaces and acylindrical bore extending from the first surface to the second surface,and a cover plate with a central aperture covering the cylindrical boreat the first surface; a controllably rotatable substantially cylindricalsleeve positioned within the cylindrical bore, the cylindrical borehaving a cylindrical axis and the rotatable sleeve having a cylindricalpassageway extending therethrough that is substantially co-axial withthe cylindrical bore; at least three spreader finger elements eachhaving a finger portion extending forwardly substantially in parallelfrom the central aperture of the cover plate to form a cluster, thecluster extending along about the axis of the cylindrical bore and eachspreader finger element being "L"-shaped, having a leg portion, and aguide pin extending laterally of the leg portion and having meansassociated therewith within the body portion for simultaneouslyspreading apart radially and subsequently retracting together thespreader finger portions, the radial positioning of the spreader fingerelements being controlled by direction of and extent of rotation of thecylindrical sleeve; and a reciprocable piston positioned within thecylindrical passageway of the rotatable sleeve, the reciprocable pistonhaving a first end and a second end, the first end facing towards thecover plate and having assembled therewith an ejector block, the ejectorblock having pivotably attached thereto at least three ejector arms thatextend forwardly thereof towards the cover plate and are movable outthrough the aperture outside of and alongside the spreader fingerportions when the reciprocable piston is moved towards the cover plate,there being one ejector arm per spreader finger portion, the ejectorblock and ejector arms being adapted to eject simultaneously from theassembly apparatus a flexible tubing segment and length of tubing thathave been telescopically assembled together; the means forsimultaneously radially spreading apart and subsequently retractingtogether the spreader finger portions including: (a) a radial channelfor each spreader finger leg portion, each radial channel being formedwithin the cover plate, (b) a disc-like member with a central aperturemounted substantially across the first end of the cylindrical sleeve androtatable therewith and having formed therein at least three spiralguideways, one for each spreader finger leg portion, and each guidewaybeing adapted to receive slidably therealong a guide pin of a spreaderfinger leg portion, each spiral guideway extending spirally out from thecentral aperture in the same direction of rotation and aboutequiangularly spaced, the disc-like member and the cover plate being inface-to-face relationship with the disc-like member being rotatableagainst the cover plate, and the radial channels of the cover plate andthe spiral guideways of the disc-like member being each open to therespective facing surfaces, with the guide pin of each spreader fingerleg portion within a radial channel extending into a spiral guidewaycontiguous to the radial channel, and (c) a rotatable control ringcircumferential to and attached to the rotatable sleeve; each ejectorarm having a slot formed therethrough and each having the leg portion ofa spreader finger element extending therethrough the slot, each slotbeing long enough and the leg portion narrow enough to readily permitejection reciprocation of the ejector arm substantially parallel to theaxis of the cylindrical bore, and the cluster of ejector arms beingurged together radially inwardly by an elastic ring member; a firstretainer ring being positioned concentric to the rotatable sleeve andagainst the second surface of the body portion, the body portion havingan upper part above the cylindrical bore and a lower part below thecylindrical bore and the first retainer ring being fastened to the upperand lower parts of the body portion and having a central aperture thatis smaller in diameter than the cylindrical bore, the rotatable sleevepositioned in the cylindrical bore extending from the first surface tothe second surface of the body portion and rearwardly through and beyondthe aperture of the first retainer ring, the rotatable sleeve having aportion thereof between the first and second surfaces of the bodyportion with a greater diameter than the portion extending through thefirst retainer ring and rearwardly of the body portion whereby there isprovided a shoulder of the rotatable sleeve against which the firstretaining ring bears, and the rotatable sleeve being retained by thefirst retainer ring, the portion of the rotatable sleeve that extendsrearwardly from the cylindrical bore being surrounded concentrically bythe rotatable control ring, the control ring having first and secondlateral sides, the first lateral side slidably rotating against thefirst retainer ring and the second lateral side being faced by a secondretainer ring with a central aperture, the second retainer ring beingattached to the control ring and the control ring being of larger outerdiameter than the first retainer ring; the reciprocable piston beingpositioned partly extending into the cylindrical passageway of therotatable sleeve and partly extending rearwardly therefrom, and a coilspring being positioned within the cylindrical passageway between thefirst end of the piston and the disc-like member, the coil spring havinga diameter greater than the central aperture of the disc-like member,the portion of the reciprocable piston within the cylindrical passagewayof the rotatable sleeve being of a greater diameter than the portionextending rearwardly of the control ring and through the centralaperture of the second retainer ring portion whereby rearwardreciprocation of the piston is limited; a central guide rod beingmounted in the ejector block and extending out the central apertures ofthe disc-like member and cover plate and between the spreader fingerportions; a support member having a first portion mounted to the lowerpart of the rear of the body portion, and a second portion having aflattened upper end, the upper end supporting the second end of thereciprocable piston slidably thereon, a portion of the underside of therearward portion of the reciprocable piston adjacent the end thereofbeing of reduced dimension in the radial direction and flattenedproviding a shoulder adjacent the end and being the portion of thereciprocable piston that is slideable on the upper end of the secondportion of the support member, rotation of the reciprocable piston isprevented, and the upper end serves as a stop to limit the forwardmotion of the reciprocable piston when the shoulder is slid against theupper end of the second portion of the support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device having flexible tubularsegments emplaced upon a length of tubing and assembled using theapparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second device having a flexibletubular segment emplaced upon a length of tubing and assembled using theapparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front and side of an assemblyapparatus of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back and side of the assemblyapparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the assembly apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is very greatly enlarged fragmentary view of the portion of FIG.5 encircled by a dashed line;

FIG. 7 is a view in vertical section of the assembly apparatus takenalong the line 7--7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the components of an assemblyapparatus of the invention with a corner of the base plate cut away forpurposes of illustration;

FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of an ejector block whichmay be used as a part of a sub-assembly identified by referencecharacter 30 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of another ejector blockwhich may be used in a modification of the sub-assembly identified byreference character 30 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of some of thecomponents of the subassembly identified by reference character 30 inFIG. 8, including the ejector block of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of all the componentsof the subassembly identified by reference character 30 in FIG. 8 withthe components shown in FIG. 11 already assembled together;

FIG. 13 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of an "L"-shaped spreaderfinger element showing the guide pin extending laterally from the legportion;

FIG. 14 is a very greatly enlarged partly exploded perspective view ofthe sub-assembly identified by reference character 30 in FIG. 8 in theprocess of being assembled;

FIG. 15 is a very greatly enlarged perspective view of the sub-assemblyidentified by reference character 30 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the reverse or inside face of the coverplate;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the present assembly apparatus with thecomponents of a pinch valve shown in exploded view relationship about tobe assembled using the assembly apparatus;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of the assembly apparatusshown with a first tubular segment end portion of the pinch valveelement oriented for placing over, i.e., around, the fingers of thespreader finger elements;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 with the first tubular segment endportion of the pinch valve element slid onto the cluster of spreaderfingers to commence the assembly process;

FIG. 20 is a view in vertical section of the present assembly apparatuslike that shown in FIG. 7, but with a first tubular segment, namely atubular end portion of the pinch valve element, emplaced over thespreader fingers as in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective fragmentary view similar to FIG. 19 showing thefirst tubular segment end portion of the pinch valve element shown inFIG. 19 stretched open radially to receive therethrough the length oftubing upon which the pinch valve element is to be telescopicallyassembled;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary view in section of the assembly apparatus andstretched first tubular segment end portion of the pinch valve elementshown in FIG. 21, and with the length of tubing inserted into theapparatus over the central guide rod and through the cluster of spreaderfingers;

FIG. 23 is a front elevation of the portion of the assembly apparatusencompassed by the cover plate at the point of the assembly processillustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary view in section of the assembly apparatus withthe first tubular segment end portion of the pinch valve relaxed uponthe length of tubing and with the ejector piston moved forward;

FIG. 25 is a front elevation of the portion of the assembly apparatusencompassed by the cover plate at the point of the assembly processillustrated in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary perspective view of assembly apparatus closelysimilar to that of FIG. 18 but adapted with a longer ejector block forthe next stage of assembling a pinch valve assembly with the secondtubular end portion of the pinch valve element oriented for placingover, i.e., around, the spreader fingers and with the leading end of thelength of tubing bent aside temporarily;

FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 26 showing a further step in the nextstage of manufacturing a pinch valve assembly wherein the second tubularend portion is being emplaced on the length of tubing;

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary view in section of the assembly apparatus andstretched second tubular segment end portion of the pinch valve elementshown in FIG. 27, and with the length of tubing inserted into theapparatus over the central guide rod and through the cluster of spreaderfingers; and

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary view in section of the assembly apparatus withthe second tubular segment end portion of the pinch valve relaxed uponthe length of tubing and the ejector piston moved forward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The assembly apparatus disclosed herein has utility for placing aflexible, and at least somewhat elastic, foreshortened tubular segmenttelescopically upon and near an end of a length of tubing having anouter diameter substantially the same or greater than the inner diameterof the tubular segment. For example, a tension responsive pinch valve,such as that shown in FIG. 1, may be made by telescopically assembling aflexible pinch valve element 80 with a length of flexible tubing 49. Theflexible pinch valve element has two end portions 82, 83 in the form oftubular segment end portions joined by a shank 84. The length of tubinghas an outer diameter substantially the same or greater than the innerdiameter of the tubular segments.

The term "tension responsive pinch valve" refers to a valve that openswhen the flexible tubing, of which it is in part formed, is placed undertension, and closes when the tension is released.

FIG. 2 shows another assembly of a length of tubing 49a with a singleflexible tubing segment 82a having an end cap or stopper 83a attachedthereto by a tether 84a. Such a structure is useful when it is desiredto have a reusable closure at the end of a supply or delivery tube.

A very important aspect of the assembly apparatus disclosed herein isthe capacity to eject the assembled combination of a flexible tubularsegment and a length of tubing from the assembly apparatus withoutdisplacing the flexible tubular segment longitudinally along the lengthof tubing.

For the purposes of the specification and claims it should be understoodthat the front side or surface, also referred to herein as a firstsurface, of the assembly apparatus is the side or surface into which thelength of tubing is inserted for emplacement of a flexible tubularsegment thereon, while the back or rear side or surface is opposite thefront side or surface. A forward motion is a motion towards the frontside or surface as here defined, while a rearward motion or extension istaken in the opposite direction.

As seen in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5, and the view insection in FIG. 7, along with the exploded view in FIG. 8, the presentassembly apparatus is made up of a body portion, indicated generally bythe reference numeral 41, which may if desired have a base supportportion 42, which may be secured to a base plate 43, for example bybolts 403, if desired, for stability during use. It is to be understoodthat the support structure may take any suitable shape and orientationand the parts thereof attached together by any suitable means such aswelding or clamping.

As seen in FIG. 8, the exemplary assembly apparatus consists mainly ofthe body portion and suitable base or support portions, in addition to asub-assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, a coverplate 47, a first retainer ring 52, a control ring 57, a second retainerring 66 and a rear support element 74. In the assembled apparatus thesub-assembly 30 having controllably spreadable and retractable spreaderfinger portions is positioned in a cylindrical bore 44 that extendsthrough the body portion 41 from the first, or front, face to thesecond, or rear, face and the other components are attached in thesequence and positions indicated, using screws and bolts 402, 405, 406,407, 408 or other suitable fastening means.

The combination of the sub-assembly 30 with spreader finger elements 39,as seen in exploded view in FIG. 12, together with the cover plate 47and the control ring 57, when mounted in the body portion 41 comprises amechanical means for assembling a tubular segment with a length oftubing. Moreover, an integral part of the sub-assembly positionedconcentrically and reciprocably within the mechanical means for assemblyconstitutes means for ejecting an assembly of a tubular segment with alength of tubing as will be further described herein.

The means for assembly which includes mechanical means for spreading andretracting the spreader finger elements 39 is described in detail belowand is comprised primarily of: (1) a substantially cylindrical rotatablesleeve 149, that is rotatable in the cylindrical bore 44 of the bodyportion 41 of the apparatus; (2) a control ring 57 for rotating therotatable sleeve 149; (3) a disc-like member 54 having radially, i.e.,spirally, extending spiral guideways 60 formed therethrough and beingmounted co-axially upon a first end of the rotatable sleeve 149 in anannular recess; and (4) at least three spreader finger elements,indicated generally by the numeral 39, that are supported by acombination of the disc-like member 54 and the cover plate 47 andradially spread or retracted by co-action of the disc-like member andthe cover plate with the spreader finger elements.

The ejector means comprise: (1) a reciprocable piston 62, depicted inFIGS. 11 and 12 as part of the assembly apparatus shown in differingstages of the assembly process; (2) an ejector block 68 or 68a asdepicted in FIGS. 9 and 10; and (3) ejector arms 71, in addition to therotatable sleeve 149 in the cylindrical passageway of which the piston62 is reciprocable.

The subassembly identified by reference character 30 in FIGS. 8, 12, 14and 15, then, includes the substantially cylindrical rotatable sleeve149 with a cylindrical passageway extending therethrough and into whichthere is positioned co-axially the reciprocable piston, indicatedgenerally by the numeral 62. The reciprocable piston has a recess in oneend into which there is positioned co-axially an ejector block such asejector block 68 or 68a depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. The ejector blockhas a plurality, in this example three, longitudinal slots 70 thereinand in which are pivotally mounted, using pins 71b, ejector arms 71substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the piston 62,bearing in mind that when the assembly apparatus is fully assembled, thepiston is co-axial with the bore 44 through the body portion 41.

In a recess in the first end 65 of the piston 62 there is mounted in anysuitable manner an ejector block 68, such as the ejector block shown inFIG. 9. The ejector block shown in FIG. 9 has a rearwardly extendingtongue-like portion 38 that fits into a complementary borehole orpassageway 36 in the piston 62 and is secured by a setscrew 37. Theoverall longitudinal length of the ejector block used in the assemblyapparatus determines the distance from the end of the length of tubingwhere the tublar segment end portion will be emplaced during theassembly process.

In assembling a pinch valve element with two tubular segments as endportions it is necessary to assemble each tubular end portion with agiven length of tubing in a separate operation in which an assemblyapparatus is used with an ejector block having the appropriate length.Thus a shorter ejector block such as that shown in FIG. 9 would be usedto emplace the first tubular segment, e.g. 82, while a longer ejectorblock 68a, as shown in FIG. 10, would be used in assembling the secondtubular segment, e.g. 83, with the length of tubing to get the properpositioning of the tubular segments and achieving also the properspacing longitudinally along the flexible tubing between the tubularsegments. The ejector block 68a is provided with a forwardly projectingaxial extension 38b that has a large enough cross-section to serve as astop for the length of tubing, but is small enough to facilitate use ofa coil spring 63 to make the piston 62 recoil after the ejection step.

In assembling the present apparatus the subassembly 30 seen in FIG. 8 ismade up by selecting an ejector block 68 (or alternatively ejector block68a of FIG. 10) of suitable dimensions, such as the ejector blockdepicted in FIG. 9, and positioning a plurality of pivotal ejector arms71 in respective slots 70 formed in the sides of the ejector block 68where the ejector arms are pivotally retained by pins 71b that passthrough the walls of the slots and through the ejector arms near a firstend 33 of each arm. The number of ejector arms 71 and complementaryslots 70 employed is preferably at least three to match the number ofspreader finger elements 39. The ejector arms 71 are orientedsubstantially parallel to the axis of the ejector piston 62. Therearward projecting tongue-like portion 38 of the ejector block 68 isinserted into the axial borehole 36 in the end 65 of the piston 62 andsecured with a set screw as shown in FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 11, an elongated central guide rod 69 isinserted into and secured in any suitable manner in a longitudinal axialborehole 34 in the free end of the ejector block 68, or, in alongitudinal axial borehole 34a of the axial extension 38b of ejectorblock 68a if the longer extension block is part of the subassembly.

Turning again to FIGS. 11 and 12, an elastic annular member 72, whichmay be a conventional "O"-ring, is placed around the ejector arms 71 atabout mid-length, for example at notches 35 in the arms, to retain themclustered together around the spreader finger portions 58 in the finalassembly.

Adjacent the second end 32 of each of the ejector arms 71 is anelongated longitudinally extending slot 73 formed therethrough. Througheach of the slots 73 a respective leg portion 56 of a spreader fingerelement 39 extends radially outward from the line of the axis of thepiston 62. As seen in FIGS. 12, 13 and 15, the spreader finger elements39 are "L"-shaped, each with a leg portion 56 and a thin finger, i.e.,finger portion, 58. To accommodate reciprocal movement of the ejectorarms 71 along the axial line during an ejection step without interferingwith the normal function of the spreader finger elements 39, the legportion 56a that joins the finger portion 58 to the leg portion 56 ineach element is preferably made thin enough so that the sides of theslot 73 do not bind against the leg portion 56a.

The means for assembling a tubular segment telescopically upon a lengthof tubing form part of the subassembly 30, which includes the spreaderfinger elements 39. The mechanical means for radially spreading thespreader finger portions include the disc-like member 54 as well as therotatable sleeve 149 on which the disc-like member 54 is mounted. Thecover plate 47 with its radial channels 55, while not part of thesubassembly 30, is also an essential part of the mechanical means forspreading and retracting the spreader finger portions in cooperationwith the disc-like member 54 and its spiral guideways 60.

As best seen in FIG. 13, each spreader finger element 39 is providedwith a guide pin 59 that extends laterally from about mid-length of theleg portion 56 so as to extend into a spiral guideway 60 of theimmediately adjacent disc-like member 54. With the spreader fingerelements 39 restricted by the radial channels 55 of the cover plate 47so that they cannot rotate, rotation of the disc-like member 54 providescam-like action as the guide pins 59 are forced to slide along therespective spiral guideways 60, moving the spreader finger elements 39,and their finger portions 58, radially outward or inward, depending onthe direction of rotation.

In further assembling the subassembly 30 of FIG. 8, as seen in FIG. 14,a coil spring 63 is slid over the cluster of ejector arms 71, followedby the disc-like member 54 preparatory to attaching it as by threadedfasteners 401 to the annular end face of the rotatable sleeve 149, aftersliding the piston 62 further into the passageway of the rotatablesleeve 149, as seen in FIG. 15. Also seen in FIG. 15 are the spreaderfinger elements 39 positioned with the finger portions 58 clusteredconcentrically inside the cluster of ejector arms 71 and around thecentral guide rod 69.

The subassembly 30 seen in FIG. 8 and largely contained within therotatable sleeve 149 can now be inserted into the body portion 41 fromthe first or front side 45 thereof into the bore 44 and partiallyextending beyond the second or rear side 46 of the body portion 41 andpositioned as seen in FIG. 7, so that the cover plate 47 can be attachedby threaded fasteners 402, preferably using a locator pin 404 to alignthe grooves in the back side of the cover plate (described below) in therequired operative orientation. The inside face, i.e. the back side, ofthe cover plate 47, as seen in FIG. 16, is formed with radial channels55 in which the respective leg portions 56 of the spreader fingerelements 39 are reciprocable when positioned therein with the coverplate attached with the inside face turned face to face with thedisc-like member 54. The radial channels 55 formed in the inside face ofthe cover plate 47 and with the leg portions 56 of spreader fingerelements 39 positioned therein are, of necessity, open toward thedisc-like member 54 so that the guide pins 59 can extend into, and slidealong, the spiral guideways 60.

Referring again more particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, the body portion 41is seen to encompass the cylindrical bore 44, which is of relativelylarge diameter compared to the body portion, and extends from the firstsurface or side 45 to the second surface or side 46 of the body portion.While the assembly apparatus is shown in the drawing figures supportedupon a base with the assembly apparatus oriented to receive an endportion of the length of tubing disposed substantially horizontallyduring the assembly procedure, it is to be understood that the base maybe modified, if desired, to support the apparatus with the bore tiltedupwardly at any angle to receive the length of tubing, including facingsubstantially vertically upward, without departing from the scope of theinvention. In such event the first or front side of the apparatus ashere described would be the upper or top side or surface and the secondor back or rear side would be the lower or bottom side or surface of theassembly apparatus.

The first surface 45 of the body portion 41 is substantially covered bythe circular cover plate 47 with an aperture 47a located at the centerthereof, while the second surface 46 of the body portion 41 is facedwith a first retainer ring 52 that has a slightly smaller inner diameterthan the diameter of the cylindrical bore 44. The cover plate 47 and thefirst retainer ring 52 are fastened to the body portion 41, for example,by screws 402, 405, respectively, but it is to be understood that anysuitable means of retaining these components in their relative operablepositions may be employed.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, within the cylindrical bore 44, asindicated above, is a rotatable substantially cylindrical sleeve or tube149, having a first end 50 and a second, smaller, end 51. The rotatablesleeve 149 is retained in the cylindrical bore 44 by a flange orshoulder 53 of the rotatable sleeve which mates with, or fits against,the radially inner portion of the first retainer ring 52 in the vicinityof the second surface 46 of the body portion 41 and a radially outer,forwardly projecting, flange portion 50a of the first end of therotatable sleeve is retained by the cover plate 47. While the first endportion 50 of the rotatable sleeve 149 has a larger outer diameter thanthe second end portion 51, hence the flange or shoulder 53, the insidediameter of the cylindrical passageway through the rotatable sleeve isuniform, and the rotatable sleeve will be referred to herein assubstantially cylindrical. The second end 51 of the rotatable sleeve 149is disposed outside of the cylindrical bore 44 and the first retainerring 52 and is concentrically surrounded by a rotatable control ring 57,preferably of slightly greater diameter than the first retainer ring 52and preferably having a knurled perimeter surface and/or a lever 61extending therefrom for easy manipulation. The control ring 57 is boltedor otherwise attached in any suitable manner to the rotatable sleeve149.

The first end 50 of the rotatable sleeve 149 has a recessed annular endface, having a perimeter flange 50a, as indicated. In the annular recessradially inward from the flange 50a is fitted the disc-like member 54that is bolted or otherwise fixedly attached to the end face and has acentral aperture 54a the same diameter as the central aperture 47a ofthe cover plate 47, but slightly smaller than the inner diameter of thepassageway through the rotatable sleeve 149. The rotatable disc-likemember 54 has one face contacting the face of the annular recessed endof the rotatable sleeve 149 to which it is attached and the opposingface is face to face with and rotatable against the inside face of thefront cover plate 47, which is attached to the body portion 41 and notrotatable.

As seen in FIGS. 23 and 25 in dotted outline and in perspective in FIG.16, the reverse side of the cover plate 47 is provided with threeequiangularly-spaced channels 55 which are open sided towards thedisc-like member 54 and extend radially outwardly from the centralaperture 47a of the cover plate. Inserted reciprocably in each radiallyextending channel 55 from the central aperture 47a is a leg portion 56of an "L"-shaped spreader finger element indicated generally by thereference numeral 39. The spreader finger portions 58 extend out of thecentral aperture 47a of the front cover plate 47 substantially parallelto the axis of the bore 44 to form a cluster and it is this cluster thatis manipulated radially apart to spread a tubular segment, such as atubular segment end portion of a pinch valve element, to permittelescopic assembly thereof upon, i.e., concentrically with, a length oftubing. The spreader finger portions 58, upon which tubular segments areplaced for spreading, i.e., stretching to a larger cross-sectionalopening, during telescopic assembly of a flexible tubular segment with alength of tubing according to the invention, are preferably quite thinfor easier removal of the assembled tubular segment and tubingcombination from the assembly apparatus. In this regard it should benoted that the spreader finger portions 58 are sandwiched between atubular segment end portion 82, 83 of the pinch valve element and thetubing 49 when the spreader finger portions are retracted prior to theejection step.

In FIGS. 12, 14 and 15, the disc-like member 54 is shown to have formedtherein three parallel and radially, i.e. spirally, outward extendingspiral guideways 60 which are open-sided towards the cover plate 47.Each spiral guideway extends spirally out in the same direction ofrotation from the central aperture 54a of the disc-like member 54. Eachleg portion 56 of a respective "L"-shaped spreader finger element 39 isprovided with a guide pin 59 fixedly attached thereto that extendslaterally from the radial channel 55 of the cover plate 47, in which theleg portion 56 reciprocates, into one of the spiral guideways 60 alongwhich it is slideable. Instead of the spiral guideways shown cutentirely through the disc-like member 54, the guideways 60 may begrooves cut to the same pattern if they are each deep enough to readilyreceive and slideably guide a guide pin 59 during rotation of thedisc-like member 54 and the grooves are open sided towards the coverplate 47.

Upon rotation of the disc-like member 54, using the knurled control ring57 or the lever 61 to rotate the rotatable sleeve 149 to which thedisc-like member 54 is attached, cam-like action is obtained to radiallyspread or retract the spreader finger portions 58 away from or towardsthe common axis as the leg portions 56 are moved radially by therespective guide pins 59 sliding in the spiral grooves 60. If desired,the lever 61 may be attached to the control ring 57 as seen in FIGS. 4and 8 and used to rotate the control ring 57 through a sufficient arc toobtain the desired spreading and retracting of the spreader fingerportions 58.

Positioned in the cylindrical passageway of the rotatable sleeve 149 andextending rearwardly therefrom is the reciprocable piston 62 thatreciprocates through a short range of movement within the cylindricalpassageway of the rotatable sleeve 149 to carry out the very importantejection procedure. The piston 62 is urged resiliently out of thepassageway of the rotatable sleeve 149 by the coil spring 63 that bearsat one end of the coil spring against the annular portion of the face ofthe disc-like member 54 that extends radially inward somewhat from thecentral aperture of the rotatable sleeve 149, and at the other end,against the first end 65 of the piston 62. The rear portion 64 of thesecond end of the piston 62 is of a slightly smaller diameter than thefirst portion 65, the rear end of the larger diameter portionconstituting a shoulder on the piston, and a second retainer ring 66attached to the control ring 57 has a central aperture smaller enoughthan the larger diameter of the first portion 65 of the piston to catchthe shoulder and limit the reciprocation of the piston 62 in therearward direction.

Mounted in a recess in the face of the first end 65 of the piston 62 isan ejector block 68 that is dimensioned longitudinally to serve as astop to accurately limit the depth of insertion of a length of tubing onwhich a tubular segment, such as a pinch valve element, is to beemplaced.

In FIGS. 28 and 29 there is shown an assembly apparatus with an ejectorblock 68a with a longer axial dimension that provides a shallower stopfor tubing inserted into the apparatus for the purpose of assembling thesecond tubular segment end portion of a pinch valve element as a secondstep in the process of assembling a pinch valve.

A central guide rod 69 extends axially from the ejector block 68 or 68athrough the passageway of the rotatable sleeve 149 and substantially tothe outward ends of the spreader finger portions 58 where it is centeredbetween them. It serves as a guide over which the length of flexibletubing is inserted into the assembly apparatus. Also pivotably mountedare ejector arms 71 that extend forwardly along inside the passageway ofthe rotatable sleeve 149 and nearly parallel to the common axis and outthrough the aperture 54a in the disc-like member 54 and aperture 47a inthe cover plate 47 where they each rest against the radially outwardsurface of a spreader finger portion 58, being collectively resilientlyurged against respective spreader fingers by a springy resilient annularmember 72, such as an "O" ring. The ejector arms 71 must be selected tobe of the appropriate length to contact and bear against the edge of aflexible tubular segment, such as a tubular segment end portion of apinch valve element, that has just been emplaced on a length of flexibletubing extending into the apparatus, simultaneously with contact andpressure between the ejector block and the inner end of the flexibletubing within the apparatus, in order to avoid moving or displacing thetubular end portion longitudinally of the flexible tubing duringejection. Because of the elastic radially inward tension of the tubularsegment end portions of the pinch valve element upon the flexibletubing, which has an outer diameter as great or greater than the innerdiameter of the tubular segments, it is not practically feasible toremove the assembled pinch valve from the spreader finger portionswithout risking altering of the positions of the tubular segment endportions of the pinch valve element, unless use is made of the ejectioncomponents of the apparatus.

The second end or part 64 of the reciprocable ejection piston 62 isshown in FIGS. 4 and 7 to be supported by a support element 74 having alower section 75 thereof attached to the rear of the base portion 42 ofthe assembly apparatus and an upright leg portion 76 extending upwardlyto contact the rear part 64 of the piston which is slideable on theflanged upper end 77 of the leg portion 76. A section 78 of theunderside of the rear part 64 of the piston 62 is ground flat fromadjacent the second end to the larger diameter forward part 65 of thepiston 62, and it is this flat section that rests upon the flanged upperend 77 of the leg portion 76 of the support element 74. The flat natureof the underside section 78 serves to prevent the piston 62 fromrotating during use, and the shoulders 78a, 78b formed at each end ofthe flat section 78 catch, respectively, on the flanged upper end 77 ofthe support element 74 and on the second retainer ring 66 to providerespective stop actions in the reciprocal motion of the piston 62.

In manufacturing a tension responsive pinch valve of the sort definedherein, it is essential to the proper valving action of the pinch valvethat the tubular segment end portions of the pinch valve element bepositioned with some accuracy spaced apart a rather short intervallongitudinally, i.e., linearly, of the length of tubing, with themagnitude of the interval or spacing being substantially greater thanthe length of the shank of the pinch valve element. Such larger spacinglinearly along the tubing is essential in order to obtain a doublingover of the tubing that produces a pinching shut of the embraced portionof the tubing when there is no tension on the portion of the length oftubing that includes the pinch valve per se and the shank of the pinchvalve element tends to elastically assume about its normal length,drawing the attached tubular segment end portions mutually closer.Proper spacing during telescopic assembly is readily achievable in aconvenient, efficient way using two nearly identical embodiments of theassembly apparatus described herein differing primarily in havingejector blocks of differing appropriate lengths to assemble therespective tubular segments. The ejector blocks serve as stops inindexing the length, or extent, the end of the length of tubing canextend into the assembly apparatus during the assembly process, thuscontrolling the positioning of the tubular segment end portions.

The first embodiment of the assembly apparatus utilized will have arelatively short ejector block, such as that identified by the referencenumeral 68 in FIGS. 7 and 11 and shown in perspective view in FIG. 9, sothat the end of the length of tubing will extend relatively deeper intothe assembly apparatus and the first tubular segment end portion of thepinch valve element will be emplaced far enough from the inserted end ofthe flexible tubing to leave room for the necessary spacing between thefirst and the second tubular segment end portions. The telescopicassembly of the second tubular segment end portion can only be performedcloser to the inserted end of the length of tubing, using the assemblyapparatus, than the location of the emplacement of the first tubularsegment end portion.

The second embodiment of the assembly apparatus used to telescopicallyassemble the second tubular segment end portion must have a longerejector block such as that identified by the reference numeral 68a inFIGS. 28 and 29 and shown in perspective view in FIG. 10, so that theflexible tubing will be stopped at a shallower depth for the assembly ofthe second pinch valve tubular segment end portion closer to the end ofthe length of flexible tubing than the first tubular segment endportion. The ejector block 68a may be seen in FIG. 10 to have a smallerdiameter extension 38b that serves as the actual stop within theassembly apparatus for the end of the length of tubing inserted duringassembly operations. The extension 38b has a smaller diameter than theejector block 68a in order to leave circumferential annular space withinthe rotatable sleeve 149 for the coil spring 63.

The base, body portion, and parts such as the cylindrical sleeve,reciprocable piston, control ring and both retainer rings, cover plateand disc-like member, of the assembly apparatus may be made of mildsteel or of an easily machinable metal, such as aluminum alloy, ifdesired, but are preferably made of tool steel or stainless steel.Preferably the spreader fingers and the ejector arms are made of toolsteel or stainless steel to provide greater strength and durability inthe thinner members.

Referring now to FIG. 17 there is depicted an embodiment of the assemblyapparatus, along with a flexible pinch valve element 80 and a length 49of flexible tubing of the same diameter depicted in exploded view. Thepinch valve element 80, which consists of first 82 and second 83foreshortened tubular segments as end portions joined by a short shankportion 84 of about the same length as the end portions, is about to betelescopically assembled on the length 49 of flexible tubing near an endthereof. The embodiment of the assembly apparatus shown in FIG. 17 is tobe understood to be equipped with an ejector block 68 of appropriatelength for positioning the first tubular segment 82 of the pinch valveelement 80.

The pinch valve element 80 is seen in FIG. 18 to be poised for assemblyon the length 49 of flexible tubing with the shank portion 84 of thepinch valve element bent aside to hold the second tubular segment endportion 83 out of the way so the first tubular segment end portion 82can be slipped over the spreader finger portions 58 that are retractedclose together as a cluster as depicted in FIG. 18. In FIG. 19 thetubular segment end portion 82 is shown slipped onto the cluster ofspreader finger portions 58. The inner edge of the first tubular segmentend portion should be in contact with the ends 37a of the ejector arms31 to ensure accurate positioning during the assembly process. Thesection view in FIG. 20 also shows the tubular segment end portion 82slipped onto the spreader finger portions 58. In FIG. 20 it is also seenthat the apparatus is equipped with a fairly short ejector block 68inside the first end 65 of the ejector piston 62.

Rotation of the control ring 57, which concentrically surrounds and isattached to the rear end of the larger diameter portion of the rotatablesleeve 149, causes rotation of the rotatable sleeve as well as thedisc-like member 54 which is mounted on the front end 50 of therotatable sleeve. Rotation of the disc-like member 54 forces the guidepins 59 attached to respective leg portions 56 of spreader fingerelements 39 to slide along the spiral guideways 60 of the disc-likemember, giving cam-like action moving the leg portions 56 in a radialdirection within the radial channels in the cover plate 47 and thespreader finger portions 58 of the spreader finger elements 39 areconsequently moved radially as well, which is the desired action. Thedirection and extent of rotation of the disc-like member 54 determinesthe radial direction and extent of movement of the spreader fingerportions 58.

In the next assembly step the control ring 57 is then grasped androtated manually, or the lever 61 may be used to rotate the control ring57, in the appropriate direction and through an arc sufficient to spreadthe spreader finger portions 58, thus stretching the first tubularsegment end portion 82 open as shown in FIGS. 21, 22 and 23. Turning thecontrol ring 57 sufficiently stretches the tubular segment 82 enough toadmit the end of the length of tubing 49 which is then slid through thetubular segment with little or no friction and onto central guide rod 69until the end of the length of tubing hits the ejector block 68, whichserves as a stop for the proper positioning of the tubular segment endportion 82 on the length of tubing 49. The control ring 57 is thenrotated as by moving the lever 61 back towards its starting position torelax the spreading tension on the first tubular segment end portion 82,completing the assembly step for the first tubular segment end portion.

To carry out ejection, the ejector piston 62 is moved forward (towardsthe first surface 45 of the body portion 41) by any suitable meansagainst the coil spring 63 to move the ejector piston a small distanceor spacing from a position with the second or rear end 64 extending backbeyond the support element 74 until the ejector piston 62 reaches apre-set stop as seen in FIG. 24 where the rear edge 78a of the flattenedlower surface 78 of the rear part 64 of the piston is caught by theupstanding flanged upper end 77 of the upright leg section 76 of supportelement 74. The piston 62 carries forward the ejector block 68 and theejector arms 71 which contact and eject simultaneously and respectivelythe end of the length of tubing 49, and the nearest edge of the emplacedtubular segment 82 which is contacted by the ends of the ejector arms71a, as can be seen in FIGS. 24 and 25. At the pre-set stop the ejectorarms 71 and the ejector block 68 will have coordinately mechanicallyejected with simultaneous pressure the length 49 of flexible tubing andthe emplaced first tubular end portion 82 of the pinch valve element.

While the piston 62 is readily slid forward manually towards the coverplate 47 if the coil spring 63 is selected to be of a suitable springtension, the piston 62 may be equipped to be reciprocated hydraulicallyor electromagnetically, if desired.

In FIG. 26 the partly assembled pinch valve depicted in FIG. 24 is shownpoised to be further assembled using a second embodiment of the assemblyapparatus with a different, i.e., shallower depth stop, in the form of alonger ejector block 68a with an extension 38b. The short end section 85of the length 49 of flexible tubing between the leading end thereof andthe emplaced first tubular segment end portion 82 of the pinch valveelement 80 has been bent out of the way so as not to impede sliding thesecond tubular segment end portion 83 onto the retracted spreader fingerportions 58 of the assembly apparatus until the tubular segment endportion contacts the ends of the ejector arms 71a, the shank portion 84of the pinch valve element 80 being much shorter than the section oftubing 85a disposed between the tubular segment end portions 82 and 83which are assembled therewith (i.e. emplaced thereon).

The second tubular segment end portion 83 of the pinch valve element isthen slid onto the spreader finger portions 58 and the control ring 57is rotated to spread the spreader finger portions 58 and stretch thesecond tubular segment end portion 83 of the pinch valve element 80,similar to what is seen in FIG. 21, and the short end section 85 of thelength 49 of flexible tubing is bent over sharply and the leading end isslipped inside the spreader finger portions 58 and the stretched secondtubular segment end portion 83 and over the central guide rod 69 and upagainst the ejector block 68a as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

As indicated, the longer ejector block 68a, having an extension 38b,provides a stop at a shallower depth of penetration by the end of thelength of tubing 49 inside the apparatus. The ejector block 68a isselected to have an extension 38b of appropriate length to provideindexing at a selected depth of penetration desired for the end of thelength of tubing 49 in order to achieve proper placement of the secondtubular segment end portion 83.

To complete the assembly of the second tubular segment end portion 83 ofthe pinch valve element, the control ring 57 is rotated back to retractthe spreader finger portions 58 closer together to relieve the tensionon the second tubular segment end portion 83. To carry out ejectionsubstantially in the same manner as described for the first emplacedtubular segment end portion 82, the ejection piston 62 is pressedforward against the action of the coil spring 63 until the rear edge 78aof the flat lower surface 78 of the rear portion 64 of the ejectionpiston 62 is stopped by the flanged upper end 77 of the upright legportion 76 of support element 74, whereupon the length 49 of flexibletubing and the second tubular segment end portion 83 of the pinch valveelement emplaced thereon will be found to have been ejected as a unitand the manufacture of the flexible pinch valve is completed.

It is preferred to complete the manufacture of the pinch valve byinserting a small amount of an adhesive such as a room temperaturevulcanizing silicone adhesive along the margins of the tubular segmentend portions of the valve element.

It will be readily understood that assembly of a single tubular segmentwith a plug or cap attached by a tether with a length of tubing near anend of the tubing can be carried out in a manner very similar to theprocedure set forth above for the assembly of the first tubular segmentof the pinch valve element with the tubular segment and cap and tetherbeing properly oriented so that the tether extends toward the end of thetubing to be closed by the cap.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for assembling a flexible tubular segment telescopically upon an end portion of a length of tubing, the tubing having an outer diameter substantially the same or greater than the inner diameter of the tubular segment, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for controllably stretching the flexible tubular segment sufficiently to facilitate passage therethrough of an end portion of a length of said tubing; (b) means for positioning the end portion of the length of tubing inside the stretched flexible tubular segment such that the stretched tubular segment is located a preselected distance from the free end of the end portion of the length of tubing while the tubular segment is allowed to contract around the said end portion; and (c) means for ejecting the assembled tubular segment and end portion of the length of tubing from the apparatus while maintaining the preselected distance of the tubular segment from the free end of the end portion of the length of tubing.
 2. An assembly apparatus comprising means for both: (a) the telescopic assembly of a flexible foreshortened tubular segment with a length of tubing having an outer diameter substantially the same or greater than the inner diameter of the tubular segment, and (b) the ejection of the assembled tubular segment and length of tubing from the apparatus thereafter;the means for telescopic assembly comprising: a body portion having first and second surfaces and a cylindrical bore, having a longitudinal axis, extending through the body portion from the first surface to the second surface; a cover plate with a central aperture covering the cylindrical bore at the first surface of the body portion; a controllably rotatable substantially cylindrical sleeve positioned within the cylindrical bore, the rotatable sleeve having a cylindrical passageway therethrough that is substantially co-axial with the cylindrical bore; at least three spreader finger elements each having a finger portion extending outwardly substantially in parallel from the central aperture of the cover plate and forming a cluster, the cluster extending along about the axis of the cylindrical bore; and means associated with the spreader finger elements within the body portion for simultaneously spreading apart radially and subsequently simultaneously retracting together the spreader finger portions with respect to the axis of the cylindrical bore; and the means for ejection, from the assembly apparatus, of a flexible tubular segment assembled with a length of tubing comprising: a reciprocable piston positioned within the cylindrical passageway of the rotatable sleeve, the reciprocable piston having a first end and a second end, the first end facing towards the cover plate and having assembled therewith an ejector block, the ejector block having pivotably attached thereto at least three ejector arms that extend forwardly thereof towards the cover plate substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical bore and are movable out through the aperture of the cover plate radially outside of and alongside the spreader finger portions when the reciprocable piston is moved towards the cover plate, the ejector arms and ejector block being adapted to contact respectively and eject simultaneously from the assembly apparatus, upon reciprocation of the reciprocable piston towards the cover plate, a flexible tubular segment and length of tubing that have been telescopically assembled together.
 3. The assembly apparatus of claim 2 wherein the spreader finger elements are each "L" shaped, each having a leg portion joined to the finger portion, and the cover plate is provided with at least three radial channels formed therein, one for the leg portion of each spreader finger element, each channel extending radially outwardly from the central aperture of the cover plate and about equiangularly spaced, and a leg of a spreader finger portion extends reciprocably into each channel from the central aperture.
 4. The assembly apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means within the body portion for simultaneously spreading apart and subsequently retracting together the spreader finger elements includes a disc-like member, the disc-like member having a central axis of rotation and being mounted substantially across the first end of the rotatable sleeve and being coaxial therewith and having a face that fits rotatably face to face with the cover plate and has a central aperture, the disc-like member being rotatable with the rotatable sleeve and having formed therein a spiral guideway for each spreader finger element, each spiral guideway extending spirally out from the central aperture in the same direction of rotation, and each spiral guideway being open to the facing cover plate.
 5. The assembly apparatus of claim 4 wherein each spiral guideway is formed clear through the disc-like member.
 6. The assembly apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means within the body portion for simultaneously spreading apart and subsequently retracting together the spreader finger elements further includes the provision that the radially extending channels in the cover plate, which is in face to face relationship with the disc-like member, are each open to the adjacent face of the disc-like member.
 7. The assembly apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means within the body portion for simultaneously spreading apart and subsequently retracting together the spreader finger elements further includes the provision that the leg of each spreader finger element disposed in a radial channel of the cover plate is provided with a guide pin mounted fixedly thereto that is positioned to extend laterally of the leg into a spiral guideway of the disc-like member, each leg being movable radially toward or away from the axis of the bore of the body portion when the disc-like member is rotated and the guide pin attached to the leg slides along the spiral guideway.
 8. The assembly apparatus of claim 7 wherein each ejector arm has a slot formed therethrough and the leg portion of a spreader finger element extends through and is freely reciprocable through the slot and the ejector arm is movable a preselected distance substantially parallel to the axis of the bore of the body portion to accomplish ejection.
 9. The assembly apparatus of claim 7 wherein the cluster of ejector arms is urged together radially inwardly by an annular elastic member.
 10. The assembly apparatus of claim 7 wherein a first retainer ring is positioned concentric to the rotatable sleeve and against the second surface of the body portion, the first retainer ring being fastened to the body portion by spaced apart fastening means radially outward from the cylindrical bore and having a central aperture that is smaller in diameter than the cylindrical bore, the rotatable sleeve positioned in the cylindrical bore extending from the first surface to the second surface of the body portion and rearwardly through and beyond the aperture of the first retainer ring, the rotatable sleeve having a portion thereof between the first and second surfaces of the body portion with a greater diameter than the portion extending through the first retainer ring and rearwardly of the body portion whereby there is provided a shoulder of the rotatable sleeve against which the first retaining ring bears, and the rotatable sleeve is retained by the first retainer ring, the portion of the rotatable sleeve that extends rearwardly from the cylindrical bore being surrounded concentrically by a rotatable control ring with first and second lateral sides, the first lateral side slidably rotating against the first retainer ring and the second lateral side being faced by a second retainer ring with a central aperture, the second retainer ring being attached to the control ring.
 11. The assembly apparatus of claim 10 wherein the control ring is of larger outer diameter than the first retainer ring.
 12. The assembly apparatus of claim 10 wherein the control ring is provided with a lever extending from the periphery thereof.
 13. The assembly apparatus of claim 10 wherein the reciprocable piston is positioned partly within the bore of the rotatable sleeve and partly extending rearwardly therefrom, and a coil spring is positioned within the bore of the rotatable sleeve between the first end of the piston and the disc-like member, the coil spring having a diameter greater than the central aperture of the disc-like member.
 14. The assembly apparatus of claim 13 wherein the portion of the reciprocable piston extending rearwardly of the control ring is of a smaller diameter than the portion within the bore of the rotatable sleeve but larger than the central aperture of the second retainer ring whereby rearward reciprocation of the piston is limited.
 15. The assembly apparatus of claim 13 wherein a central guide rod is mounted in the ejector block and extends out the central apertures of the disc-like member and cover plate and between the spreader finger elements.
 16. The assembly apparatus of claim 13 wherein there is provided a support member having a first portion, mounted to the body portion radially outward from the cylindrical bore, and a second portion having a radially inward end, the radially inward end supporting the second end of the reciprocable piston slidably thereon.
 17. The assembly apparatus of claim 16 wherein a portion of the underside of the rearward portion of the reciprocable piston adjacent the second end thereof is of reduced dimension in the radial direction providing a shoulder adjacent the second end and is the portion of the reciprocable piston that is slideable on the radially inward end of the second portion of the support member, and the radially inward end serves as a stop to limit the forward motion of the reciprocable piston towards the cover plate when the shoulder is slid against the radially inward end of the second portion of the support member.
 18. An assembly apparatus for: (a) the telescopic assembly of a flexible tubular segment with a length of tubing having an outer diameter substantially the same or greater than the inner diameter of the tubular segment, and (b) the ejection of the assembled tubular segment and length of tubing from the apparatus thereafter, comprising:a body portion having first and second surfaces, and a cylindrical bore, having a longitudinal axis, extending through the body portion from the first surface to the second surface, and a cover plate with a central aperture covering the cylindrical bore at the first surface of the body portion; a controllably rotatable substantially cylindrical sleeve positioned within the cylindrical bore, the rotatable sleeve having a cylindrical passageway therethrough that is substantially co-axial with the cylindrical bore; at least three spreader finger elements, each with a finger portion, the finger portions extending outwardly substantially in parallel from the central aperture of the cover plate as a cluster, the cluster extending along about the axis of the cylindrical bore and having means associated therewith within the body portion for simultaneously spreading apart radially and subsequently retracting together the spreader finger portions with respect to the axis of the cylindrical bore; and means for ejection from the assembly apparatus of a flexible tubing having a tubular end portion of a pinch valve element emplaced thereon, comprising: a reciprocable piston positioned within the passageway of the rotatable sleeve, the reciprocable piston having a first end and a second end, the first end facing towards the cover plate and having mounted thereon an ejector block, the ejector block having pivotably attached thereto at least three ejector arms that extend forwardly thereof towards the cover plate substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical bore and are movable out through the aperture of the cover plate radially outside of and alongside the spreader finger portions when the reciprocable piston is moved towards the cover plate, the ejector block and ejector arms being adapted to contact respectively and eject simultaneously from the assembly apparatus the length of tubing and tubular segment that have been telescopically assembled.
 19. An assembly apparatus for: (a) the telescopic assembly of a flexible tubular segment with a length of tubing having an outer diameter substantially the same or greater than the inner diameter of the tubular segment, and (b) the ejection of the assembled tubular segment and length of tubing from the apparatus thereafter, comprising:a body portion, the body portion having first and second surfaces and a bore extending from the first surface to the second surface, and a cover plate with a central aperture covering the cylindrical bore at the first surface; a controllably rotatable substantially cylindrical sleeve positioned within the cylindrical bore, the cylindrical bore having a cylindrical axis and the rotatable sleeve having a cylindrical passageway extending therethrough that is substantially co-axial with the cylindrical bore; at least three spreader finger elements each having a finger portion extending forwardly substantially in parallel from the central aperture of the cover plate to form a cluster, the cluster extending along about the axis of the cylindrical bore and each spreader finger element being "L"-shaped, having a leg portion, and a guide pin extending laterally of the leg portion and having means associated therewith within the body portion for simultaneously spreading apart radially and subsequently retracting together the spreader finger portions, the radial positioning of the spreader finger elements being controlled by direction of and extent of rotation of the cylindrical sleeve; and a reciprocable piston positioned within the cylindrical passageway of the rotatable sleeve, the reciprocable piston having a first end and a second end, the first end facing towards the cover plate and having assembled therewith an ejector block, the ejector block having pivotably attached thereto at least three ejector arms that extend forwardly thereof towards the cover plate and are movable out through the aperture outside of and alongside the spreader finger portions when the reciprocable piston is moved towards the cover plate, there being one ejector arm per spreader finger portion, the ejector block and ejector arms being adapted to eject simultaneously from the assembly apparatus a flexible tubing segment and length of tubing that have been telescopically assembled together; the means for simultaneously radially spreading apart and subsequently retracting together the spreader finger portions including: (a) a radial channel for each spreader finger leg portion, each radial channel being formed within the cover plate, (b) a disc-like member with a central aperture mounted substantially across the first end of the cylindrical sleeve and rotatable therewith and having formed therein at least three spiral guideways, one for each spreader finger leg portion, and each guideway being adapted to receive slidably therealong a guide pin of a spreader finger leg portion, each spiral guideway extending spirally out from the central aperture in the same direction of rotation and about equiangularly spaced, the disc-like member and the cover plate being in face-to-face relationship with the disc-like member being rotatable against the cover plate, and the radial channels of the cover plate and the spiral guideways of the disc-like member being each open to the respective facing surfaces, with the guide pin of each spreader finger leg portion within a radial channel extending into a spiral guideway contiguous to the radial channel, and (c) a rotatable control ring circumferential to and attached to the rotatable sleeve; each ejector arm having a slot formed therethrough and each having the leg portion of a spreader finger element extending therethrough the slot, each slot being long enough and the leg portion narrow enough to readily permit ejection reciprocation of the ejector arm substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical bore, and the cluster of ejector arms being urged together radially inwardly by an elastic ring member; a first retainer ring being positioned concentric to the rotatable sleeve and against the second surface of the body portion, the body portion having an upper part above the cylindrical bore and a lower part below the cylindrical bore and the first retainer ring being fastened to the upper and lower parts of the body portion and having a central aperture that is smaller in diameter than the cylindrical bore, the rotatable sleeve positioned in the cylindrical bore extending from the first surface to the second surface of the body portion and rearwardly through and beyond the aperture of the first retainer ring, the rotatable sleeve having a portion thereof between the first and second surfaces of the body portion with a greater diameter than the portion extending through the first retainer ring and rearwardly of the body portion whereby there is provided a shoulder of the rotatable sleeve against which the first retaining ring bears, and the rotatable sleeve being retained by the first retainer ring, the portion of the rotatable sleeve that extends rearwardly from the cylindrical bore being surrounded concentrically by the rotatable control ring, the control ring having first and second lateral sides, the first lateral side slidably rotating against the first retainer ring and the second lateral side being faced by a second retainer ring with a central aperture, the second retainer ring being attached to the control ring and the control ring being of larger outer diameter than the first retainer ring; the reciprocable piston being positioned partly extending into the cylindrical passageway of the rotatable sleeve and partly extending rearwardly therefrom, and a coil spring being positioned within the cylindrical passageway between the first end of the piston and the disc-like member, the coil spring having a diameter greater than the central aperture of the disc-like member, the portion of the reciprocable piston within the cylindrical passageway of the rotatable sleeve being of a greater diameter than the portion extending rearwardly of the control ring and through the central aperture of the second retainer ring portion whereby rearward reciprocation of the piston is limited; a central guide rod being mounted in the ejector block and extending out the central apertures of the disc-like member and cover plate and between the spreader finger portions; a support member having a first portion mounted to the lower part of the rear of the body portion, and a second portion having a flattened upper end, the upper end supporting the second end of the reciprocable piston slidably thereon, a portion of the underside of the rearward portion of the reciprocable piston adjacent the end thereof being of reduced dimension in the radial direction and flattened providing a shoulder adjacent the end and being the portion of the reciprocable piston that is slideable on the upper end of the second portion of the support member, rotation of the reciprocable piston is prevented, and the upper end serves as a stop to limit the forward motion of the reciprocable piston when the shoulder is slid against the upper end of the second portion of the support member. 